Body supported table shelf



Nov. 21, 1961 W. B. NOLAND BODY SUPPORTED TABLE SHELF Filed Dec. 28, 1959 United States PatentO 3,009,613 BODY SUPPORTED TABLE SHELF Wayne B. Noland, Avon Lake, Iowa, assignor to Woodford Manufacturing Company, Des Moines, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Filed Dec. 28, 1959, Ser. No. 862,185 2 Claims. (Cl. 224-25) This invention relates to a table shelf and more particularly to a horizontal platform capable of being supported on the body of the user.

There are many occasions when a large table to accommodate several people is either not available or is impracticable. Such occasions may well be certain times when a host desires to serve food or drink in the living room, or when watching television, or when away from home such as when on a picnic. Obviously, it is indeed a difiicult task to hold a plate, eating tools, and a liquid container, and eat at the same time.

Therefore, one of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a small platform that may be easily and quickly attached onto the user and as easily and quickly removed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a body supported shelf that may be easily and quickly adjusted to meet the requirements of the user.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a body supported shelf means that permits the user to move from place to place during the using of the shelf means.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a body shelf means that may be folded into a compact unit when not in use.

Still further objects of my invention are to provide a body supporting table shelf that is economical in manufacture, durable in use, and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination, of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my device in folded condition,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device in use, and

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of my device and more fully illustrates its construction.

In these drawings I have used the numeral to designate the table, shelf, tray or like platform. The numeral 11 designates the elongated horizontal U-shaped base member of any suitable strap material. The upper end portion of each end of the base bar is bent to extend laterally horizontally outwardly to form the two oppositely extending horizontal ear portions 12 and 13, as shown in FIG. 3. Pivotally secured (by a rivet or like 15) to each of these horizontal ears is a shoulder arm 16. Each arm 16 has its lower end horizontally bent to engage the ear to which it is pivotally secured. From its lower end each arm then extends first vertically upwardly and when in position for use has its upper end portion curved upwardly, rearwardly, and then downwardly to provide a hook portion for detachably extending over a shoulder of the user. Inasmuch as there are two of these spaced apart arms, by hooking both arms over the shoulders of the user, the base member 11 will be supported r 3,009,613 Ce "Patented Nov. 21, 1961 horizontally at the front of the user and near the waist, as shown in FIG. 2. The numeral 17 designates a second U-shaped strap member having its two end portions hinged to the two side or end vertical portions of the base 11. This member 17 normally extends horizontally and forwardly of the base 11 and its ends are hinged to the base by any suitable means such as rivets 19. Extending forwardly from the base 11 are two supporting spaced apart fingers 20 extending under the tray or platform 10. The fingers are secured to the member 10 by any suitable means.

When the device is not in use, and collapsed, the two arms have been rotated on the base 11, to bring their hooked upper ends together and the platform 10, fingers 20, and U-shaped member 17 have been swung upwardly, as shown in FIG. 1.

When it is desired to use the device, the arms are rotated to positions shown in FIG. 3 and the platform 10 lowered. To prevent the platform or like from swinging substantially below that of a horizontal plane I have provided an adjustable stop means. On the center of the base 11 and extending forwardly is a ledge projection 21. The nu meral 22 designates a rearwardly extending lip on the center of the U-shaped member 17 and which normally extends in spaced relationship above the ledge 21. The numeral 23 designates a thumb screw threaded downwardly through the lip 22 and having its lower end capable of engaging the ledge 21. Thus, by adjusting the thumb screw 23, the user may adjust the platform to bring it into the desired position relative to the body and/ or relative to the horizontal.

The device may be used for any purpose wherein it is desired to have a shelf, tray platform, or like, secured to and extending forward of the body as shown in FIG. 2.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my table shelf without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

1. In a body supported table shelf, a U-shaped base member having its upper free end portions bent horizontally outwardly and away from each other, a second U-member having its two ends hinged to the two upright end portions, respectively, of said first U-shaped member, a platform secured to said second U-member, a shoulder hook member having its lower end vertically pivoted to one of the horizontally extending end portions of said first U-member, a shoulder hook member having its lower end vertically pivoted to the other horizontally extending end portion of said first U-member, and means for adjustably limiting the independent movement of said second U-member relative to said first U-member.

2. In a body supported table shelf, a U-shaped base member having its upper free end portions bent horizontally outwardly and away from each other, a second U-member having its two ends hinged to the two upright end portions, respectively, of said first U-shaped member, a platform secured to said second .U-member, a shoulder hook member having its lower end vertically pivoted to one of the horizontally extending end portions of said first U-member, a shoulder hook member having its lower end vertically pivoted to the other horizontally extending end portion of said first U-member, a bar on said second U-mernber, a bar on said first U-member and a thumb screw threaded through said bar on said second U-member and capable of engaging the bar of said first U-mcmber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Cramer Aug. 17, 1915 Wallerstedt Feb. 18, 1919 10 Krischke Feb. 6, 1940 

